Funny how things can make one remember.

It really is funny how a "thing" can spark memories. It happens to me alot in the business that I am in. I hear my customers talk about it as well. I remember that grandma had one just like this and she used it every day.

Yesterday, I got something that brought back a flood of wonderful memories.

You see, we have a big family, with lots of cousins. The close cousins, the ones that we saw all of the time because they lived in town. We saw them almost every weekend when our parents would play "Ping", a card game into the wee hours of the night.

I love my close cousins. But, they are all boys. My boy cousins, equipped with all of the boy toys that you can imagine. It was fun to visit but let's face it....four boy cousins plus my brother and all of the obligitory toys was not as exciting as you might imagine.

Then there was my far away cousins, my GIRL cousins. My girl cousins lived in St. John. Really not a long trip but at the age of 8 or so, it was an adventure. I loved going to my girl cousins house.

There was the long car ride which included sweet treats provided by my mom. We would play I spy or car plate bingo or color. Sometimes we would sing to pass the time. It was great to spend time with my family. We were all excited to get to the girl cousins house.

My girl cousins lived in a big farm house, while our house was smaller. They had horses, a piano, a big basement made into a play room and every single, solitary girl toy that you could imagine. My girl cousins were the type that had both of Barbies shoes in the Barbie wardrobe. They had every single game piece to Monopoly, all of their toys still looked new....they were THOSE kind of girls. We were not THOSE kind of girls.

In our defense, they had the entire basement ...with an ENTIRE PLAY KITCHEN....we had a bedroom that we all shared...my two sisters, myself and my grandma. We just didn't have the room.

Playing in their playroom was heaven. In their kitchen they had play groceries in the cupboards and entire sets of dishes that you could wash because their play sink had real running water. Who has that?

We would bake with their tiny pans and sweep with their tiny brooms. Then we would serve everything up on the tiny table and chairs. It was nirvana.

Today, I got the sweetest piece that brought all of those memories flooding back. It is amazing.

It was obviously handmade. It is painted the sweetest red and yellow. All of the drawers open and close perfectly, ready to store those tiny cookie cutters and rolling pins. The cupboard doors are worn from years of love and play.

It even has tiny hooks for tiny cups. You should have seen me running around the store trying to find tiny utensils to play with....um to stage this piece with. I was only able to find some tiny cups and a tiny colander that is actually a votive holder. I love this piece. It sparked wonderful memories for me. It also made me dream about the tea parties that it has seen.

I wish I had a little lady in my life that I could give this too. I just don't think that my 11 year granddaughter or my 6 greandsons would be that interested.

This is certainly a piece that would make some wonderful memories. Maybe not about girl cousins but certainly about fun.

This piece is available at the moment in store but I don't think it will last long....certainly not as long as the wonderful memories it can help to create.

Do you need some gift Ideas?

I happen to think that the best gifts are handmade. Sometimes I know that you don't have time to make something yourself...so the next best thing is buying something handmade from a local crafter. This also adds to your local economy and helps your favorite crafter to keep on crafting.

It is always amazing to me when someone buys something that I have redone or put together....it's not that I don't believe in myself...I do...but it is an amazing feeling to know that something that I poured myself into is now being held as a treasured belonging in someones home. It is even a better feeling to know that someone thinks enough of something that I have created to give it as a gift.

I know it sounds corny....those of you who know me know that I am corny...but it a gift to me when someone takes something that I have created home. So, thank you.

That being said....I worked on some pieces this weekend that I think are so cute. I think they would make great gifts, for yourself or someone you love. I hope you feel the same way.

These first two goodies were those kinda ugly but readily available and inexpensive mantel clocks.

I gave them a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White and then added some vintage buttons and bling.

I love how they turned out.

We have lots of other great one of a kind ideas for gifts in the store now. Come by and say hello. We have vintage too.

First Impressions - store windows.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. I have heard that many, many times. I think for a little shop that is especially true.

My little shop is on a main street in Spokane but is sort of non-discript on the outside. During the summer months when the weather is great, we put lots of pretty items that catch potential shoppers attention - of course, it is also light outside until later.

During these darker winter months we can't put the beautiful pieces outdoors because of the weather and in the later afternoon the darkness. People constantly tell me they just noticed the store or how much nicer and bigger it is inside.

In order, to give everyone a better idea about what we have to offer. I built some elevated platforms in order to better display our goodies.

Today I worked on both of our front windows and thought I would give you a little peek.

 During  the day light hours. We are getting ready for Girls Day Out here in town and trying to decorate in pink - which is not hard for us to do at all.

I added some light to the windows to grab some attention in the darker hours. I love the pink glow.

This is our other front window. I love the black and french look and have so many great things it is hard to decide what to use. The black chandelir and lamp add some light to this window when it gets a little darker.

We also have been working in the store - adding some Christmas stuff here and there. I will post some pics tomorrow.

A Big Announcement Coming Soon!

It has been awhile since I last blogged - I feel a bit like I am confessing - forgive me fans for I have slacked.
I have been working on a big project that I am hoping I will be able to reveal very soon. I am excited about it and scared as well.
I am hoping that all of my customers and friends will love this project as much as I do...but you never know really. I guess we would all be rich if we could see that in our futures.
Can I give you a hint? Well, yes a little one.

This is a pillow from a wonderful wholesale company that I work with. Isn't it gorgeous?
Anyway, stay tuned for my upcoming surprise.